Bmw 320ci or astra opc

hilisa

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new car. I've been looking at 03 04 320ci bmws as 325ci are impossible to find.
Just wondering is there much go in these and is there a big difference between the 2.2 and the 2.5.
Another car that tickled my fancy is the astra opc which is at the opposite end of thd scale I know. Anyone got any experience with these?

edburg

Take it you mean the Astra H OPC model (2005-2010).

Nothing wrong with OPC astra as long as you can find a good looked after one (same as any car really), common issues are mainly gearbox bearing's and turbo manifold cracking. Top gear watchers with very little experience will tell you torque is horrible and going to kill at first sign of a hedge, however a simple cheap mod is using your hands on steering wheel and it goes in straight lines (worked for me).

Find one with good box and change the oil in box for good gear oil, had mine now over 6 years with no problems with box.

Below is boards search results for astra OPC with huge amount of opinions to read, some are just crap some are very good

http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?query=Astra%20OPC


I would type more but I am in pain and cant drive so not functioning in happy helper mode.

hilisa

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, the torque steer complaint wouldn't put me off at all , as you said just to find one that's been looked after is the tricky part.

edburg

Where you based, might be members floating around with cars you looking at.

hilisa

edburg wrote: »

Where you based, might be members floating around with cars you looking at.

Based in galway city area. Don't seem to see many of them around. Anywhere in fact. Seem like a rare enough car which is also appealing

Supergurrier

Two very different cars.

Hot hatch and mild coupe

dar83

edburg wrote: »

I would type more but I am in pain and cant drive so not functioning in happy helper mode.

Is that from trying to turn a corner and crashing? :pac:






sorry, couldn't help it

hilisa

Drove an opc 07 astra this evening and holy cow they are fast.
They really are a beast of a car. It just had a new turbo fitted. Few little scuffs here and there. Quite the car though.

edburg

Paint can be polished, so long as it looks straight, I only be concerned with mechanics mainly.

MarkN

hilisa wrote: »

bmws as 325ci are impossible to find

Have you trawled the usual car sites for one? I found one handy enough a few weeks ago, 2004 with nearly every extra added except the Harman Kardon for €3,000!

Supergurrier

Nice find that

hilisa

Beautiful car. Well wear. Do you mind me asking what site you came across the car

Idbatterim

Have you trawled the usual car sites for one? I found one handy enough a few weeks ago, 2004 with nearly every extra added except the Harman Kardon for €3,000!

very, very nice! the 325ci is the definitely the one to go for, on our bull**** motor tax system... How many miles are on her?

MarkN

120,000 miles but it only had two Irish owners and a full M&G/Frank Keane history so it's a pretty tight car and seems to have been well cared for. There's a few car park dents in the usual places but I'll get them removed soon enough and then it will truly be mint. Even the alloys barely have a mark on them so I was very lucky. Had a 323ci a few years ago and for only a small bit more power, it has a lot more shift in it. Only pain is having had a few 520d's over the last 3 years, I'm used to paying €220/380 road tax per annum, I paid €305 on this for 3 months last week and it physically hurt me.

I found it on Done Deal Hilisa, my plan was to buy something cheap and save up a PCP deposit for a 4 Grand Coupe next year but I just love the sound off her and the handling and the extra cash every month in my pocket from no car loan so I might just enjoy it for a while longer.

Idbatterim

yeah I am about to tax mine for 3 months, but when you compare it to depreciation on a new car or newish car, its nothing. Those 6 cylinder petrols are just fantastic...

Supergurrier

Idbatterim wrote: »

very, very nice! the 325ci is the definitely the one to go for, on our bull**** motor tax system... How many miles are on her?

I would be absolutely delighted to have that 325ci as my car if i wasn't so invested in my own hot hatch atm.

OP drive afew different cars and see what suits you.

When i was starting to look for my second car after joining boards i wanted a 320d

millington

The Astra will walk all over the 320ci in a straight line. Handling wise the BM will have more feedback and feel but still always be a touch less sporty.

Interior in the Astra apart from the seats is horribly dull and poor quality especially compared to a BMW interior.

If you could stomach the tax, I'd wait for a 325ci and get a nice exhaust but I'd have an OPC over a 320ci I think!

Donnelly117

millington wrote: »

The Astra will walk all over the 320ci in a straight line. Handling wise the BM will have more feedback and feel but still always be a touch less sporty.

Interior in the Astra apart from the seats is horribly dull and poor quality especially compared to a BMW interior.

If you could stomach the tax, I'd wait for a 325ci and get a nice exhaust but I'd have an OPC over a 320ci I think!

I have a Z4 with the same engine, the 215bhp one. My mate has an OPC and the Astra feels significantly faster! I reckon they are pretty evenly matched acceleration wise but for in gear acceleration the OPC being turbo charges therefore very torquey feels much better to drive!! My god those things are fast!!

MarkN

Might be too old for you OP but this looks lovely!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/10107020
BMW 325i TAX+NCT TODAY

Leonard Hofstadter

That E46 is absolutely mint. Shame the leather's beige, it's a stunning car otherwise.

hilisa

Thanks for the link but it opens an e36 spoiler for sale !!

PrettyBoy

That 325 was a great find Mark, €3k is an absolute bargain.

hilisa wrote: »

Thanks for the link but it opens an e36 spoiler for sale !!

Opens a tractor for me? :P

MarkN

captainspeed wrote: »

That E46 is absolutely mint. Shame the leather's beige, it's a stunning car otherwise.

Wouldn't want the usual black, too dark and fits in with the norm.

The E36 must be gone lads, attached a pic of what it was.

millington

Donnelly117 wrote: »

I have a Z4 with the same engine, the 215bhp one. My mate has an OPC and the Astra feels significantly faster! I reckon they are pretty evenly matched acceleration wise but for in gear acceleration the OPC being turbo charges therefore very torquey feels much better to drive!! My god those things are fast!!

Oh I know an OPC would run away from a 325i aswell but the 2.5 would be acceptably fast for a sporty car whereas the 2.0 be a touch too dead

hilisa

I bought the opc in the end and very happy with it.
Not too bad on fuel and love the power, never get sick if that turbo.

edburg

Aye that boost kicking in so low n hard in rev range is mental.

Enjoy

corsav6

Good luck with it OP, astra is a lovely car. They sound great with the pedal flat to the floor and they can move.
Watch for movement in the gearstick when accelerating and get that box oil changed too. Its an m32 gearbox if you want to do some research.